Fortuin by Chanette Paul

Author: Chanette Paul
Language: Afrikaans
Pages: 520
ISBN: 978 - 0 - 7993 - 4242 - 0
Category: Romantic suspense novel
Publishing date: October 2008
Publisher:  Lapa Publishers

Fortuin is Chanette Paul’s 31st book in a career that spans 13 years and her second in the romantic suspense genre.  With her first book in this genre, Springgety (October 2007), she set off to fill a huge gap in Afrikaans literature where romantic suspense novels are rare.  With Fortuin she explores the genre in even greater depth.

Xanthe Tredoux is a freelance journalist who arrives at Paradise Gorge, a mystical healing retreat, to expose Eva van Eden, its owner, as a charlatan. The secluded estate, only accessible by air, is peculiar enough … but some of guests and inhabitants are downright strange. Events take an eerie turn when Xanthe finds two guests have died under suspicious circumstances and begins to suspect she might be next in line to die at the hand of 'mother nature'.

The unconventional detective, Gys Niemand, knows something is seriously amiss at Paradise Gorge, but has to unravel the puzzle miles away from the almost impenetrable estate whilst fighting his personal battles too.

With Fortuin Chanette Paul has found a unique new voice in the suspense genre.  Treated to loads of riddles and mystical twists – delivered with subtle humor – the reader also becomes emotionally and spiritually involved with the characters and the story. The theme of this novel is daring and bound to cause heated discussions amongst members of many a reading circle. 

Fortuin, preceded by Springgety, is the second novel in a planned pentad of which the third, Boheem, was published in 2009 and the fourth, Meetsnoer, is scheduled for publication in 2010. The fifth is currently under construction.

The five novels will eventually form an integrated whole in which the legend of the mermaid of Kruisbaai, a recurring theme in the series, as well as Detective Gys Niemand’s relationship with the love of his life, will be concluded.